The first thing I smelled upon logging in was something… delicious. It was brothy, herby, and just the right amount of savory. My stomach growled so loud it could’ve been mistaken for a dungeon boss roar.
The second thing I noticed was Devon sitting at the edge of my bed, his sharp brown eyes locked onto me with an expression halfway between relief, and you better not ever do that again. His armor was stripped down to a light tunic and leather pants, but his greatsword was still propped against the wall nearby, within arm’s reach.
Selene leaned casually against the wooden support beam across the room, arms crossed over her chest. Her amber eyes flickered between me and the steaming bowl of soup on the nightstand beside me.
“Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?” she said, one eyebrow raised.
I rubbed my eyes groggily, my shadows twitching faintly at my feet like lazy cats stretching after a long nap. My HUD flickered softly in the corner of my vision. Everything looked… stable for now.
[STATUS: RESTED | HEALTH: FULL]
“Soup,” I mumbled, pointing weakly at the bowl. “I require… soup.”
Selene smirked faintly while Devon just shook his head with a tired chuckle. “Here,” he said, reaching for the bowl and holding it to me. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
As I sipped the warm broth (it was stupidly good, by the way), I finally looked around the room. The wooden structure was simple but cozy, with soft fur rugs scattered across the floor and faint golden lantern light filling the space. Through the window, I could see wooden walkways suspended among massive trees and glowing lanterns hanging like stars in the night. Figures moved gracefully across the bridges, their silhouettes blending into the shadows.
“This place…” I said between sips. “Where are we?”
Selene pushed away from the beam and crossed the room, her leather boots barely sounding against the floor. “You’re in one of the hidden sanctuaries of the Shai'renn Tribe. This place isn’t on any map, and most players have never heard of it.”
Devon nodded. “We got lucky. After your… episode, we had to get as far away from the Rift as possible. Selene found signs of a hidden trail, and, well…”
“They found us,” Selene finished.
“They?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Devon hesitated before answering. “The Shai'renn aren’t normal NPCs. They feel… different. Like they’re aware. Like they know things they shouldn’t.” It reminded me of how sentient Lucien was as an NPC.
I swallowed another spoonful of soup and let that weight sink in. An unmarked tribe of sentient NPCs hiding deep within the game world, offering shelter to three wanted anomalies? Yeah, this wasn’t suspicious at all.
After finishing my soup, with max HP ready to go, Devon and Selene led me outside. The fresh night air hit me immediately, carrying faint traces of floral sweetness and distant campfire smoke.
The Shai'renn Village was breathtaking. Wooden walkways spiraled up massive trees, leading to suspended huts illuminated by glowing blue and gold lanterns. Rope bridges crisscrossed between the trees, and faint, ethereal wisps of light floated lazily in the air.
NPCs—or Shai'renn villagers, I supposed—moved quietly and gracefully. Their clothing was woven from natural fibers, dyed in shades of green and gold, and their faces were serene but unreadable.
“Whoa…” I breathed, leaning over one of the railings to take in the sprawling view below.
“Welcome to the sanctuary,” Selene said softly, stepping beside me.
I glanced sideways at her, taking in the faint glow of the lanterns reflecting in her amber eyes. She caught me staring and smirked slightly, one eyebrow raised.
“What?” she said.
“N-Nothing!” I stammered, turning away quickly as shadows flickered faintly around my ankles.
Behind us, Devon cleared his throat. “We’ve been told we can stay here for a while, but… they’re watching us closely. Especially you, Kiera.”
“Me?” I turned back to face him.
Selene nodded. “They are 'aware' of what you did. Whatever happened back at the stronghold left… ripples. They felt it.”
That heavy feeling that came whenever I thought about my transformation settled in my chest again. I stared down at my hands, faint violet light still tracing along the lines of my palms.
[NEW OBJECTIVE: Recuperate in the Shai'renn Sanctuary]
Devon crossed his arms. “We’ve been given some rules while we’re here. Don’t start fights, don’t mess with their artifacts or structures, and absolutely do not use any high-tier abilities while in the village.”
I nodded faintly. “Right. Got it. No nukes.”
Selene smirked. “That’s one way to put it.”
For a moment, the three of us stood quietly, staring out over the lantern-lit village below. The faint sounds of flute music drifted up from somewhere in the distance, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, I felt… calm.
After some time, Devon and Selene split off—Devon to check supplies and Selene to “have a conversation” with the Shai'renn leader (I suspected it would involve a lot of glaring).
Left to my own devices, I leaned against the wooden railing and opened my HUD again.
My HUD glowing softly before me as I navigated through my Skill Menu. My fingers hovered cautiously over the interface, shadows twitching faintly around my feet in nervous anticipation.
[CLASS: SUCCUBUS DEMON LORD – LVL 20] [HP: FULL | MP: FULL]
The sleek purple icon representing my class flickered faintly with a dual crest—half Succubus, elegant and curved like bat wings, and half Demon Lord, jagged and ominous with faint red cracks splitting through it.
I clicked into the Skill Tree, and the menu expanded with a sharp, crystalline chime. A series of branching paths unfolded, one side marked in deep violet (Succubus) and the other a glowing crimson (Demon Lord).
Class Summary: You embody temptation and devastation—where seduction meets destruction. As a Succubus Demon Lord, you wield overwhelming power capable of tearing through armies, warping reality, and commanding shadows with a mere thought. But such strength comes at a cost. Your Demon Lord Abilities consume vast amounts of HP with every use.
Use your Succubus Abilities to replenish yourself, drawing life force, magic, or essence from your enemies—or allies.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
If your HP drops to zero, your character will be deleted permanently from the server.
My HUD flickered briefly, and a faint notification appeared at the bottom corner of my vision.
I clenched my fists, shadows flaring faintly before I forced myself to focus on the Skill Descriptions.
Skill Breakdown
SUCCUBUS ABILITIES
THESE SKILLS ALLOWED ME TO REPLENISH MY HP BUT REQUIRED CREATIVITY, FINESSE, AND, SOMETIMES, CALCULATED RISK.
* Life Drain: Drain HP from a target enemy over time. It can be used in combat or stealth.
* Crimson Kiss: A charm-based skill that weakens an enemy’s resistance while siphoning small amounts of HP.
* Essence Feast: A powerful ability that absorbs the life force of a group of enemies nearby. Expensive in mana but an emergency life-saving skill.
* Shadow Embrace: Bind an enemy in shadows, draining HP while immobilizing them.
DEMON LORD ABILITIES (CRIMSON BRANCH)
These abilities were monstrous—spells and attacks that bent the game world to my will. But their descriptions made my blood run cold.
* Abyssal Maw: Summon a massive void maw to devour enemies in a wide radius. HP Cost: 35%
* Umbral Cataclysm: Release a catastrophic burst of shadow energy, devastating everything in a large radius. HP Cost: 50%
* Infernal Command: Temporarily dominate weaker enemies, turning them against their allies. HP Cost: 20%
* Blood Pact: Sacrifice a portion of your health to grant yourself an unstoppable surge of damage and speed for thirty seconds. HP Cost: 40%
More abilities were branching off, locked behind level caps or progression barriers, but the theme was clear. My hand trembled faintly as I closed the skill interface, the violet and crimson tree fading from view.
If I pushed too hard, took too many risks, or let my HP fall to zero…my data and everything about my character would disappear, leaving UNKNOWN free to send their code as they originally planned and wreck havoc.
My shadows curled tightly at my feet, mirroring the unease twisting through my chest.
I couldn’t let that happen—for Lucien, my brother, and all the players in the Nexus. Every skill and ability needed to be calculated and deliberate. There was no room for recklessness anymore.
I clenched my fists, my shadows twitching violently at my sides.
“Fine,” I muttered under my breath, my voice steady despite the weight in my chest. “You want me to play this game? I’ll play it and win.”
My HUD flickered briefly in response as though the system acknowledged my resolve.
I sighed heavily, closing the HUD.
The world of Eidolon Nexus felt bigger, more mysterious, and infinitely more dangerous than when I’d first logged in.
But despite all of it—the danger, the corruption, the glitching chaos—I felt a strange pull in my chest.
I wasn’t ready to leave. Not yet.
This game was originally meant to be a one-off, but now… it is bigger than that.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
As I walked across one of the hanging bridges, the Shai'renn village was alive with an otherworldly serenity. Lantern light cast faint golden shadows on the wooden planks below my feet. The sound of faint music—flutes, soft drums, and something like chimes—drifted through the trees, blending with the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
The market was bustling, with Shai'renn villagers gracefully gliding between the wooden stalls. Each vendor had their wares—handcrafted weapons, enchanted trinkets, shimmering fabrics, and strange fruits that glowed faintly from within.
Devon handed me a piece of translucent fruit as I approached. It pulsed faintly with a soft golden light.
“What is this?” I asked, inspecting it cautiously.
“It’s called a Lumin Fruit,” Devon said, taking a bite of his own. “It tastes like honey. Try it.”
I hesitated briefly before biting into it. Sweetness flooded my taste buds—like honey and peaches.
Selene smirked faintly. “The Shai'renn are good at keeping things simple but beautiful. Even their snacks are enchanting.”
Devon stretched, his arms lifting behind his head as he stifled a yawn. “Honestly, this is the first time I’ve felt even remotely relaxed since we started all this.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You? Relaxed? Are you sure you’re not glitching?”
He chuckled.
As we wandered through the market, something caught my eye—another player. A human player, not an NPC. They wore mismatched armor pieces, a giant two-handed axe strapped to their back, and a bright yellow bandana tied awkwardly around their forehead.
Their username floated above them in bright blue text: [KraigTheCrusher]
“Wait… there are other players here?” I asked, blinking in surprise.
Selene glanced over briefly before nodding. “The Shai'renn don’t usually allow outsiders, but I’ve seen a few players here and there. I’m guessing they stumbled across this place just like we did.”
Devon grinned. “Or maybe they were carried here like a sack of potatoes after nearly exploding half a fortress.”
“Devon,” I hissed, smacking his arm lightly.
We continued walking, passing more players scattered among the Shai'renn—some chatting quietly with vendors, others practicing skills in a cleared training area. For a moment, it almost felt like a regular MMO hub town.
Except for the way the Shai'renn still glanced at me out of the corner of their eyes. They weren’t hostile, but there was a quiet awareness there. They knew what I was—or at least, they could sense it.
“Hey, are you three adventurers?”
The voice belonged to a young Shai'renn scout leaning casually against one of the bridge posts. Her hair was woven with faintly glowing flowers, and her eyes were sharp despite her casual posture.
Selene narrowed her eyes slightly. “Depends on who’s asking.”
The scout smirked. “Don’t get all broody, dagger-girl. I just need a little help. One of our scouts, Kalri, went beyond the sanctuary borders to check on some Rift anomalies. He hasn’t come back.”
Devon frowned. “Is he in danger?”
“Probably not,” the scout said with a shrug. “Kalri’s stubborn, and he’s convinced he can handle anything the Rift throws at him. But he’s been gone too long, and the Elders are starting to worry. Can you check it out?”
[SIDE QUEST: FIND THE STUBBORN SHAI'RENN SCOUT, KALRI] Reward: ??? | EXP: 1,500
I glanced at Devon and Selene. Devon was already cracking his knuckles, and Selene had her arms crossed, her expression thoughtful.
“Well,” I said finally, “we are adventurers. And besides, how bad could it be?”
Selene groaned faintly. “Why would you say that out loud?”
The sun dipped below the horizon as we sat around a campfire near one of the village's quieter edges. The faint glow of lanterns dotted the night sky like stars, and the distant sound of water trickling over stone created a calming backdrop.
Selene leaned back against a log, her daggers laid out on a cloth in front of her as she cleaned them meticulously. Devon was reclining with his arms crossed behind his head, staring at the tree canopy.
I sat cross-legged, a faint orb of shadow hovering over my palm as I practiced maintaining its form.
“So, Kalri tomorrow?” I said, glancing between them.
“Tomorrow,” Devon confirmed, his voice low and steady.
Selene nodded faintly. “But for now, we rest.”
I let out a slow breath, the orb of shadow dissipating into faint tendrils of mist. For once, the silence wasn’t heavy with unspoken tension. It was… peaceful.